Emperor of Exmoor may have been killed by a foreign hunter
The largest wild animal in Britain may have been killed by a foreign hunter lured to the UK after a bounty was placed on its magnificent head and impressive antlers, it was claimed yesterday.
The majestic nine-foot tall stag, dubbed the Emperor of Exmoor, was shot and killed by marksmen just outside Exmoor country park.
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The Exmoor Emperor
Witnesses reported hearing two shots from a high velocity rifle before seeing the stag's crumpled body lying near Rackenford, north Devon.
A thorough search just a short time later found traces of blood where the mighty stag had fallen, but the carcass had been removed.
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Yesterday it emerged that foreign huntsmen – probably European trophy hunters – may have felled The Emperor after a bounty was literally placed on his head.
The 12-year-old red deer – which weighed 300lbs – was thought to have been gunned down as a ''trophy'' with its head and magnificent antlers worth at least £2,000.
A local farmer, who asked not to be named, said: ''There has been a price on his head for years – with figures stretching to around £1,250.
''No one knows who killed it, but rumours have been circulating around here that the hunter came from abroad, probably Europe."
John Norris, from the Tiverton Staghounds group, based near to the reported killing site of Rackenford, feared the stag's notoriety may have been the main incentive for the hunter.
He said: ''We used to have another big stag around here called Bruno. But like The Emperor – his name got about and then he was killed.
''The same may have happened to the Emperor."
Deerstalking near Hartland with Nick Wellington and Paul Messenger. Film by Adam Wilshaw.
Nervous deer at Derriford Business Park.
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